Granular cell tumour pathology

Granular cell tumour is also known as Abrikossoff tumour. It is thought to have a neural origin, probably derived from Schwann cells.

Histology of granular cell tumour

In granular cell tumour, sections show broad fascicles of tumor cells arranged in nests or sheets infiltrating the dermis and dermal structures. The tumor cells are large in size, with small, uniform, eosinophilicgranules filling the cytoplasm, and small, round-to-oval nuclei (figures 1-3). Mitoses are rare.

“Pustulo-ovoid bodies of Milian” may be present (figure 2, arrow). These are large granules surrounded by a clear halo.

Sometimes, the overlying epidermis may become markedly hyperplastic and mimic a squamous cell carcinoma. This is thought to be a reactive phenomenon.